What: Muncie Open Screen
When: The first Thursday of every month
Where: Muncie Civic Theatre
Price: Free
Credit to Rob Mugge
A digital storytelling graduate student, could have written a paper or even made a short film for his special projects class. Instead, Rob Mugge created an event for Ball State students and community members to showcase film projects.
The idea for Mugge's project called Muncie Open Screen came from events Mugge used to attend in Philadelphia. Like open mic nights for comedians or musicians, any filmmaker from any skill level can participate by showing their short films, music videos, commercials and other projects.
“Personally, I’d like to get really weird things that people don’t think is going to get accepted to an actual film festival or anything,” Mugge said.
Muncie Open Screen will play films the first Thursday of every month, with no charge to viewers.
Mugge first mentioned his plan to telecommunications instructor Chris Flook in the summer. Flook suggested that Mugge host the event at the Muncie Civic Theatre instead of on Ball State’s campus.
Flook said it may be convenient to use Ball State facilities, but bringing the event to the community makes it easier for everyone to participate.
Mugge, who just moved to Muncie last year, said he hasn’t had a chance to meet many other Muncie residents or students who create short films like the ones he hopes to show at Muncie Open Screen.
“We actually have a lot of students that make short films,” Flook said.
Flook said video projects such as the recently premiered Ball Brothers documentary are just more likely to receive the attention of the press or have a pre set platform than short film creations.
Flook said he hopes Open Screen will be that platform.
Neethi Jelaji, a junior telecommunications major began and finished her first short film this past summer. She submitted it to Muncie Open Screen a week ago.
Jelaji’s film shines a spotlight on depression, an issue that hit her hometown of Fishers hard during her years in high school.
“It’s just in my heart to stop it, to put an end to it, and the best way I know how is through a film,” she said.
She invited her friends and family to a premiere for the film in August.
“I was in fetal position behind the couch, not willing to watch it,” she said. “It was the most nerve-wrecking thing I’ve ever been through.”
At the Muncie Civic Theatre, Jelaji won’t have a couch barrier between her and the screen, but she said the opportunity to share her project is more important than the butterflies.
“This was my first short film so it was by no means perfect,” she said. “I can list all the problems with it right now. That’s the beauty in it, there are so many firsts. This [event] will be a segue into a first for other students.”
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